Dave Cowens vs. Joe Graboski Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Joe Graboski and Dave Cowens, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Dave Cowens played 11 years in the NBA, 2 less than Joe Graboski, who played 13. Dave Cowens had the first of his seasons in 1970-71, while Joe Graboski had his rookie season in 1948-49. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Dave Cowens 11 7 1970-71 to 1982-83
Joe Graboski 13 10 1948-49 to 1961-62

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

Rookie Season

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1970-711948-49
Team Boston CelticsChicago Stags
Honors & Awards Achievement Rookie of the Year-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Playoffs Did Not PlayStags Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 81 38.0 17.0 - - 15.0 2.8 - - - 4.3 6.8 16.1 .422 - - - 3.4 4.6 .732
Joe Graboski 45 - 2.8 - - - 0.4 - - - 1.9 1.2 3.5 .344 - - - 0.4 1.1 .347
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 1 - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - 1.0 0.0 6.0 .000 - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 2

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1971-721949-50
Team Boston CelticsChicago Stags
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsStags Lost Cent Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 79 40.3 18.8 - - 15.2 3.1 - - - 4.0 8.3 17.2 .484 - - - 2.2 3.1 .720
Joe Graboski 57 - 3.6 - - - 0.6 - - - 1.7 1.3 4.3 .304 - - - 0.9 1.6 .596
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 11 40.1 15.5 - - 13.8 3.0 - - - 4.5 6.5 14.2 .455 - - - 2.5 4.3 .596
Joe Graboski 1 - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Note: Joe Graboski didn't play in 1950-51.

Season 3

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1972-731951-52
Team Boston CelticsIndianapolis Olympians
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsOlympians Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 82 41.8 20.5 - - 16.2 4.1 - - - 3.8 9.0 20.0 .452 - - - 2.5 3.2 .779
Joe Graboski 66 37.0 13.7 - - 9.9 2.0 - - - 3.8 4.8 12.5 .387 - - - 4.0 6.0 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 13 46.0 21.9 - - 16.6 3.7 - - - 4.2 9.9 21.0 .473 - - - 2.1 3.2 .659
Joe Graboski 2 48.0 23.0 - - 11.5 1.5 - - - 3.5 9.5 24.0 .396 - - - 4.0 7.5 .533

Season 4

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1973-741952-53
Team Boston CelticsIndianapolis Olympians
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionOlympians Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 80 41.9 19.0 3.3 12.4 15.7 4.4 1.2 1.3 - 3.7 8.1 18.4 .437 - - - 2.9 3.4 .832
Joe Graboski 69 40.1 13.0 - - 10.0 2.3 - - - 4.4 3.9 11.6 .340 - - - 5.1 7.4 .682
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 18 42.9 20.5 3.3 10.0 13.3 3.7 1.2 0.9 - 4.7 8.9 20.6 .435 - - - 2.6 3.3 .797
Joe Graboski 2 38.0 17.0 - - 8.0 0.0 - - - 2.5 7.0 14.0 .500 - - - 3.0 4.0 .750

Season 5

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1974-751953-54
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 65 40.5 20.4 3.5 11.2 14.7 4.6 1.3 1.1 - 3.7 8.8 18.4 .475 - - - 2.9 3.8 .783
Joe Graboski 71 38.9 13.3 - - 9.4 2.3 - - - 3.1 5.0 14.1 .354 - - - 3.3 4.9 .674
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 11 43.5 20.5 4.5 12.0 16.5 4.2 1.6 0.5 - 4.5 9.2 21.5 .428 - - - 2.1 2.4 .885
Joe Graboski ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1975-761954-55
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 78 39.8 19.0 4.3 11.7 16.0 4.2 1.2 0.9 - 4.0 7.8 16.7 .468 - - - 3.3 4.4 .756
Joe Graboski 70 35.9 13.6 - - 9.1 2.6 - - - 3.7 5.3 15.7 .340 - - - 3.0 4.3 .686
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 18 44.3 21.0 4.8 11.6 16.4 4.6 1.2 0.7 - 4.7 8.7 18.9 .457 - - - 3.7 4.8 .759
Joe Graboski ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1976-771955-56
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 50 37.8 16.4 2.9 11.0 13.9 5.0 0.9 1.0 - 3.6 6.6 15.1 .434 - - - 3.2 4.0 .818
Joe Graboski 72 33.0 14.4 - - 8.9 2.6 - - - 3.8 5.5 14.9 .369 - - - 3.3 4.7 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 9 42.1 16.6 3.2 11.7 14.9 4.0 0.9 1.4 - 4.1 7.3 16.4 .446 - - - 1.9 2.4 .773
Joe Graboski 10 31.3 13.2 - - 9.4 2.7 - - - 3.7 5.3 15.4 .344 - - - 2.6 3.5 .743

Season 8

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1977-781956-57
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost East Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 77 41.8 18.6 3.2 10.8 14.0 4.6 1.3 0.9 2.8 3.9 7.8 15.8 .490 - - - 3.1 3.7 .842
Joe Graboski 72 34.7 14.3 - - 8.5 1.9 - - - 3.4 5.4 15.5 .349 - - - 3.5 4.5 .783
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 2 45.5 17.5 - - 11.0 2.0 - - - 3.5 6.5 20.0 .325 - - - 4.5 5.5 .818

Season 9

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1978-791957-58
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost East Div Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 68 37.0 16.6 2.2 7.4 9.6 3.6 1.1 0.8 2.6 3.9 7.2 14.9 .483 - - - 2.2 2.8 .807
Joe Graboski 72 28.8 12.6 - - 7.9 1.7 - - - 3.5 4.7 14.1 .335 - - - 3.2 4.2 .749
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 8 31.5 12.3 - - 10.3 3.8 - - - 2.6 5.0 17.3 .290 - - - 2.3 2.9 .783

Season 10

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1979-801958-59
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 66 32.7 14.2 1.9 6.2 8.1 3.1 1.0 0.9 1.6 3.3 6.4 14.1 .453 0.0 0.2 .083 1.4 1.8 .779
Joe Graboski 72 34.5 14.7 - - 10.4 2.1 - - - 3.5 5.5 15.5 .353 - - - 3.8 5.0 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 9 33.4 12.0 2.0 5.3 7.3 2.3 1.0 0.8 0.9 4.1 5.4 11.4 .476 0.0 0.2 .000 1.1 1.2 .909
Joe Graboski ------- --- ----------

Note: Dave Cowens didn't play in 1980-81 and 1981-82.

Season 11

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season 1982-831959-60
Team Milwaukee BucksPhiladelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost East Div Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens 40 25.4 8.1 1.8 5.0 6.9 2.1 0.8 0.4 1.1 3.4 3.4 7.7 .444 0.0 0.1 .000 1.3 1.6 .825
Joe Graboski 73 17.4 7.7 - - 4.9 1.5 - - - 2.0 3.0 8.0 .372 - - - 1.8 2.4 .753
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 9 14.3 4.6 - - 3.3 1.0 - - - 2.6 1.9 6.4 .293 - - - 0.8 1.0 .778

Season 12

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season -1960-61
Team -Philadelphia Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Warriors Lost East Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 68 14.9 6.8 - - 3.9 1.1 - - - 2.2 2.5 7.5 .333 - - - 1.9 2.7 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 1 1.0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 - - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 13

Dave Cowens Joe Graboski
Season -1961-62
Team -St. Louis Hawks, Chicago Packers, Syracuse Nationals
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nationals Lost East Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 38 12.3 5.1 - - 4.1 0.7 - - - 1.6 2.0 5.8 .348 - - - 1.0 1.7 .600
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Joe Graboski 4 6.0 0.8 - - 1.0 0.0 - - - 0.8 0.3 1.8 .143 - - - 0.3 0.3 1.000